Fring Adds Two-Way Video Calling Over 3G to iPhone 4

[war eagle]

FaceTime is Wi-Fi only because Apple likes their applications to be of the highest quality and they probably just didn't have time to perfect it over 3G so they made it Wi-Fi only. Where as Fring just wants to be the first to say they did it and worry about the quality never.

 

[kenman884]

I want full integration with AIM or Skype, i.e., video clients people actually use. That would be insanely cool if I could video chat with desktop users on my 4th generation iPod Touch (when I get one, which I most likely will).

 

[cawesjmu]

fring might not have a desktop client but you can video chat using it with someone that has skype on the desktop. Just tried it little choppy but good!

Really? That's sweet. I'll download it and try it out because of that.

 

[iGod 2.0]

Not what I was expecting over 3G

Not exactly optimal over 3G. It works…though…Hooray??

 

[CocoaPuffs]

anybody get it to work "both ways" over Skype? I got my phone to show the incoming, but the video is not showing up on Skype's end.

 

[fsck-y dingo]

Mmmm...pretzels.

 

[MacFly123]

That is cool but MAN... Talk about crappy quality! I won't use this. Don't wanna rape my data usage anyway, and don't get me started on how crappy Fring's UI is! Just saying.

 

[Darkroom]

+1. If I ever see that guy again, i will erupt into a fit of rage.

+2 that guy is god damn annoying

 

[sdinsider23]

anybody get it to work "both ways" over Skype? I got my phone to show the incoming, but the video is not showing up on Skype's end.

I was on fring on my iphone and my coworker was on skype on his and it worked, took a couple seconds for the video to show up but it worked. choppy but being able to do it over 3g is worth it.

 

[Starship77]

+2 that guy is god damn annoying

He kinda looks like Steve Ballmer...

 

[BTW]

Despite being a bit choppy that's freakin' cool. Just hoping the iPod Touch will have a front facing camera soon.

 

[JediZenMaster]

He kinda looks like Steve Ballmer...

Steve ballmer with a tummy tuck

 

[iPhoneONLY]

its cool but CHOPPY AS HECK!!!

yeah, i'll stick with the WIFI standard facetime. Talked to my buddys from 2,000 miles away.

ZERO LAG.

Is it also choppy on WIFI?

 

[Kahnyl]

I was on fring on my iphone and my coworker was on skype on his and it worked, took a couple seconds for the video to show up but it worked. choppy but being able to do it over 3g is worth it.

I thought this same thing about a phone I had six or seven years ago. But beyond the first day of fooling around with it, I never made a video call again.

 

[deus_ex_machina]

He kinda looks like Steve Ballmer...

Uncomfortable boss hug

 

[iPhoneONLY]

Work with 3GS to 4?

Does anyone know if you can chat with an iPhone 4 to a 3GS?

I know the 3GS doesn't have a front camera, but could the 3GS view the iPhone 4 video while the iPhone 4 sees no incoming video?

 

[Kahnyl]

Does anyone know if you can chat with an iPhone 4 to a 3GS?

I know the 3GS doesn't have a front camera, but could the 3GS view the iPhone 4 video while the iPhone 4 sees no incoming video?

I'm guessing the 3GS build of the app doesn't include any video calling, so no. If you just want to broadcast video from one phone to another there are already apps for that.

 

[Gotta Hankerin]

As excited as I am to see video calling move into mainstream (if ever so slowly) it is clearly not ready for 3G implementation. Actually, it's 3G that isn't ready for video calling. There's no prize for being first to the party if you have the wrong day.

 

[Kahnyl]

Actually, it's 3G that isn't ready for video calling.

This.

I'm just amazed that with the advances in codecs etc. that it still looks about the same quality over 3G as it first did ages ago.

How's the quality over WiFi compared to FaceTime?

 

[FreAk6767]

just tested out:

iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 via 3G, fring account= very good video and audio

iPhone 4 Skype to Mac Skype= both audio call and video call worked over 3G! that's so insane it's allowed!

I'm in France (yeah no joke about the soccer team please...!) and I wonder how this is gonna go with Orange contract about 3G, and call over 3G with fring, skype to mac, etc..

 

[Silverado]

I'm surprised that no one highlighted the fact that this version of Fring also allows background VOIP calls! I started a Skype phone call, existed the app and continued talking on the iPhone 4.

I personally think this is more exciting than video calling. Isn't this the first publicly-available app that takes advantage of iOS4's background VOIP? The feature isn't even highlighted by the Fring blurb; it is simply included in the long list of things that take advantage of multitasking.

 

[c2006]

Is it also choppy on WIFI?

it was for me, but I did it with my sister in Spain who currently has a bad internet connection. (wifi iphone 4 to laptop with mac skype)

 

[Skoal]

I've just tested it.

Two way video calling works but quality is awful. Blocky and laggy.
Worlds away from FaceTime and certainly no rival.

So poor you won't use it. :-(

On WiFi or 3G? Because if it's "blocky and Laggy" on 3G then as far as Facetime goes, well, you know!

 

[nfl46]

Its choppy even over WiFI. I can only imagine it worse on 3G.

 

[cvaldes]

I'm surprised that no one highlighted the fact that this version of Fring also allows background VOIP calls! I started a Skype phone call, existed the app and continued talking on the iPhone 4. This is simply listed in the long list of things that take advantage of multitasking.

I personally think this is more exciting than video calling. Isn't this the first publicly-available app that takes advantage of iOS4's background VOIP?

Background VoIP calls is mentioned in the article as well as the blog entry on Fring's website. The video probably just shows one feature, not all of the changes in the new app release.

Also, Fring is not the first. Truphone plus the Gizmo5 iOS app had background calling before Fring. Maybe there are others, I dunno.